A little over 100 years ago women were only 20% of the labor force. [1] Which is to say, most women did not participate in wage employment.

Now they're ~47%. Which is great! But it also hints that society doesn't need most of the labor for the system to still function.

[1] https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/about/history

Rather like subsistence farming, everyone got out of housework as soon as possible and into a far less onerous office.

"Work" does not exclusively mean "work full time for a wage".

yeah but carrying and raising kids?